The Ogun State Government has moved to curb cholera outbreak in two communities in the State, tracing the source of the disease to poor level of hygiene.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka said in Abeokuta yesterday that some communities in Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas were identified as being the source and were noted to have poor sanitisation, particularly faecal waste management.
According to him, “there was a sudden upsurge in cases of gastroenteritis in some communities in Abeokuta, first noted on Friday, July 5th, some severe cases were brought to Ijaye hospital and staff were informed of a patient who died in the community, state and local government officials reacted immediately to trace the source of the outbreak and to provide life-saving treatment for admitted patients.
At the State Hospital, government mobilised emergency supplies and provided free emergency care for patients admitted with gastroenteritis. In the affected communities, awareness-raising activities commenced with the distribution of leaflets followed by sensitisation talks on causes and preventions of gastroenteritis. Local health workers were put on alert too”.
He further said alternative water supplies were provided by officials of the State Water Board who also took samples of water for testing. This test, the commissioner added, showed high levels of germs associated with faecal contamination.
“Although the majority of patients tested were certified not to be suffering from Cholera, there were two confirmed cases at the time. The measures taken have so far contained the outbreak which has now subsided”, he stated.
Noting that more work needs to be done in the communities that remain in very unsanitary conditions with the rains exacerbating cases of contamination by drinking water, he urged members of the public to observe high levels of personal and environmental hygiene.
Soyinka said the disease could be avoided through regular hand washing with soap and clean water, boiling of drinking water, and cooking food thoroughly.
“Pit toilets should be well away from sources of drinking water such as wells. Blocked drains should be kept clean and Local Government Authorities should be informed of any major problems causing flooding or overflow during rains”, he added.